It was dark when it happened.
"I'm so sorry."
"I know."
"I just… I just can't see any other way…"
"It's ok. I, I understand."
A pause.
"I love you."
"I know."
A deep shuddering breath. Tears pour down damp cheeks silently.
"What about the children?"
"I'll take care of them."
A nod.
"Will they, will they ever get to know about me?"
"I can't."
Another nod.
"I'm so sorry, I just… I can't. I can't risk it, they'd kill them."
"I know."
"Maybe one day, maybe I'll be able to, but there's no other way."
A kind, sweet, sad smile.
"I know."
"I wanted so much to be with you, to be able to hold you, go to the fucking park with you… and now… it's all ruined. I've ruined it all."
More tears, more sobs.
"You haven't, it's not you. It isn't you."
"I'm such an awful person."
"Sssshhhhh. Sweetie you're not, you're an amazing person. You're doing so much to make up for it all."
"I can't loose you."
"I know."
"I just… you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"You have the children."
"I have. I'll do my best. I promise. I'll do everything I can to make sure they're different. To stop this happening again. I promise."
"I trust you."
"How can you?"
"You love me."
"Now?"
"I think that would be best."
She kneels in her night gown before him.
"Darling?"
"Yes?"
"If they ever ask about me, our children, will you tell them I loved them with all my heart and soul?"
"I'll tell them the truth. I'll tell them what a wonderful mother you were, what an amazing woman you were. How much I love you."
"Thank you."
"Now, please? I think I'm ready."
A wand raised. Pointed to her throat.
"Hermione. I love you."
"I love you too Draco."
A spoken word. A flash of light. A man collapses in shuddering gasps of breath and tears.
It was dark when it happened, and forever after.